Originally Posted by
SVCTA
I will not take the time to explain to an FA the physics involved, but in a the cockpit of a 321 I'm likely just as far from the CG as the aft galley, and since the airplane doesn't flop around like a noodle our rides should be nearly identical. This whole wive's tale of how "it's worse in the back of of a 321" is suspect at best, but they all seem to believe it.
That said, I haven't heard the phrase "I don't feel safe" as an excuse to not open Sprites since last summer. Someone from IFS told me they were sending 'secret shoppers' out on random flights to see what was happening and slap some wrists. In my experience since then it has gotten better.
This came up in the DCLC when I went through upgrade. When one of the inflight managers came to talk to our class, a few people brought this up. She said to not argue with the FAs and let them handle it internally because they were aware of the problem. They were tracking passenger complaints through the surveys and sending people out like you mentioned. Anecdotally it has gotten better since then. About once per year while deadheading or nonrevving I'll experience a blatantly egregious case.
On my own flights if they ask anything I'll just say "from my experience and with the information that I have up here, it's safe to do service, but use your best judgement". That's also my response when they ask me to turn on the seatbelt sign and I won't let them dictate that, unless they specifically ask for it to get people out of the aisle to make their service easier.